Snap fit fastener

ABSTRACT

A snap fit fastener includes a base, a holder, and a plurality of snap fit arms. The holder extends from the base and includes a holder wall defining a fastener hole. The fastener hole is sized to receive a finger. The snap fit arms are cantilevered from the base. Each snap fit arm includes a beam and an overhang protruding from the beam in a direction away from the holder. Each overhang is configured to engage a panel to couple the snap fit fastener to the panel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fasteners, assemblies, and methods ofattaching two parts together.

BACKGROUND

Many assembly operations use fasteners, such as bolts or screws, tocouple two separate parts together. In many assembly operations, it isdesirable to secure the fastener to one of the parts to be joined priorto assembly in order to more quickly and efficiently couple the partstogether. It is also desirable to develop fasteners capable of beingused in areas hard to manually reach during assembly.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to snap fit fasteners for coupling partstogether. In an embodiment, the snap fit fastener includes a base, aholder, and a plurality of snap fit arms. The holder extends from thebase and includes a holder wall defining a fastener hole. The fastenerhole is sized to receive a finger. The snap fit arms are cantileveredfrom the base. Each snap fit arm includes a beam and an overhangprotruding from the beam in a direction away from the holder. Eachoverhang is configured to engage a panel to couple the snap fit fastenerto the panel.

In an embodiment, the snap fit arms are disposed around the holder. Thesnap fit fastener may include ribs disposed between the base and theholder. The base may have a substantially planar shape. The snap fitarms may be resiliently coupled to the base. The snap fit arms may bedirectly connected to the base. The holder may include an arch-shapedwall portion.

The present disclosure also relates to vehicles such as cars and trucks.In an embodiment, the vehicle includes a first panel and a second panel.The second panel includes a first panel surface and a second panelsurface opposite the first panel surface. The second panel defines apanel hole extending through the first panel surface and the secondpanel surface. The vehicle further includes a snap fit fastenerincluding a base attached to the first panel. The snap fit fastenerincludes a holder extending from the base and defining a fastener hole.The snap fit fastener also includes a plurality of snap fit armscantilevered from the base. The holder is configured to be receivedthrough the panel hole. The fastener hole is configured to receive ahuman finger. Each snap fit arm partially extends through the panel holeand includes an overhang having an abutment surface. The abutmentsurfaces of each overhang contact the second panel surface to couple thefirst panel to the second panel.

In an embodiment, the holder may have a substantially U-shape. The basedefines an edge, and the snap fit arms may be disposed along the edge ofthe base. The snap fit arms may be directly connected to the base. Eachsnap fit arm includes a beam and the overhang protrudes from the beam ina direction away from the holder. The base may have a planarconfiguration. The holder includes a holder wall having an arch-shapedwall portion. The snap fit arms may be resiliently coupled to the base.The snap fit arms are disposed around the holder. The vehicle mayfurther include ribs disposed between the base and the holder.

The present disclosure also relates to method of manufacturing avehicle. In an embodiment, the method includes a step of inserting aholder and snap fit arms of a snap fit fastener attached to a firstvehicle member through a vehicle member hole of a second vehicle member.The snap fit fastener includes a base. The holder extends from the base.The snap fit arms are supported by the base. The holder defines afastener hole. The method further includes advancing the snap fit armsthrough the vehicle member hole by applying a force to the snap fitfastener via the holder until the snap fit arms engage the secondvehicle member to couple the first member to the second member.

In an embodiment, the method further includes attaching the base of thesnap fit fastener to the first vehicle member before inserting theholder and the snap fit arms through the vehicle member hole. Theadvancing step includes pulling the snap fit arms through the vehiclemember hole via the holder using a finger.

The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages, ofthe present invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of some of the best modes and other embodiments for carryingout the invention, as defined in the appended claims, when taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fastener in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the fastener includes abase, holder, and a plurality of snap fit arms;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one snap fit arm of thesnap fit fastener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 1 affixedto a first panel and adjacent to a second panel defining a hole;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 1,showing only a portion of the holder extending through the hole of thesecond panel;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 1,showing the holder and a portion of the snap fit arms extending throughthe hole of the second panel; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 1,showing the snap fit arms engaging the second panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used toidentify like or identical components in the various views, FIG. 1schematically illustrates a snap fit fastener 10 for coupling at leasttwo components. The snap fit fastener 10 generally includes base 12, aholder 14 extending from the base 12, and one or more snap fit arms 16supported by the base 12. The snap fit arms 16 may partially surroundthe holder 14. In other words, the snap fit arms 16 are disposed aroundthe holder 14. In the depicted embodiment, the snap fit fastener 10includes four snap fit arms 16; however, it is contemplated that thesnap fit fastener 10 may include more or fewer snap fit arms 16.Irrespective of the number of snap fit arms 16, the snap fit fastener 10is configured to couple two components together.

During assembly of a machine, such as a vehicle, it might be difficultto manually reach different areas of the partially assembled machine toinstall a conventional fastener in order to connect two or more parts ofthe machine together. It is therefore desirable to develop a fastenerthat is easy to install even in areas of the partially assembled machinethat are hard to reach. The snap fit fastener 10 can connect two partstogether and can be easily reached by a user via the holder 14 asdescribed in detail below.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the snap fit fastener 10 may bewholly or partly made of a substantially rigid material, such as a metalor plastic, and includes a base 10, which may be elongated along a firstdirection indicated by arrow 18. The base 10 may have a substantiallythin, planar configuration and may therefore extend along a plane Pdefined along the first direction indicated by arrow 18 and a seconddirection indication by arrow 20. The first direction indicated by arrow18 may be substantially perpendicular to the second direction indicatedby arrow 20. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the base 10 includesa first or central base portion 22, a second base portion or extension24, and a third base portion or extension 26. The first base portion 22is disposed between the second base portion 24 and the third baseportion 26 and may have a substantially circular shape. Moreover, thefirst base portion 22 includes a first base edge 54 and a second baseedge 56 opposite to the first base edge 54. The second base edge 56 isspaced from the first base edge 54 along the second direction indicatedby arrow 20. The second base portion 24 and the third base portion 26extend from the first base portion 22 in opposite directions and eachmay have a substantially rectangular shape. The base 12 can be attacheda first body 100 (FIG. 3), such as a first vehicle member 102, using anysuitable coupling means such as adhesives or welding. The first body 100(FIG. 3) of may be a first panel 104 of a vehicle 98 or any othermachine or assembly.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the holder 14 of the snap fitfastener 10 allows a user to pull the snap fit fastener 10 using afinger and extends from the base 14 in a third direction indicated byarrow 28. The third direction indicated by arrow 28 may be substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction indicated by arrow 18 and thesecond direction indicated by arrow 20. The holder 14 extends from thefirst base portion 22 of the base 12 and may have a substantiallyU-shape.

The holder 14 may include a holder wall 30 having an inner holdersurface 32 and an outer holder surface 34 opposite to the inner holdersurface 32. The inner holder surface 32 defines a fastener hole 38configured, sized, and shaped to receive an adult human finger or atleast a portion of a holding instrument such as a hook. The holder wall30 further includes a first holder edge 44 and a second holder edge 46opposite to the first holder edge 44. The second holder edge 46 isspaced from the first holder edge 44 along the second directionindicated by arrow 20.

The holder wall 30 may have a substantially U-shape and includes a firstwall portion 36 attached to the base 12, a second wall portion 40attached to the base 12, and a third wall portion 42 interconnecting thefirst wall portion 36 and the second wall portion 40. The first wallportion 36 and the second wall portion 40 may be attached to the sameportion of the base 12, such as the first base portion 22, but arespaced apart from each other along the first direction indicated byarrow 18. Furthermore, the first wall portion 36 and the second wallportion 40 may be elongated along the third direction indicated by arrow28 and may have a substantially planar configuration. The third wallportion 42 may be disposed between the first wall portion 36 and thesecond wall portion 40 and have a substantially arch or semi-circularshape. The third wall portion 42 may therefore be referred to as thearch-shaped wall portion. The first wall portion36, the second wallportion 40, and third wall portion 42 collectively define the fastenerhole 38. During use, the user may insert a human finger or a holdinginstrument, such as a hook, through the fastener hole 38 to hold andmove the snap fit fastener 10 in a desired direction.

The snap fit fastener 10 additionally includes a first support wall 48coupled between the base 12 and the first holder edge 44 and a secondsupport wall 50 coupled between the base 12 and the second holder edge46. The first support wall 48 and the second support wall 50 helpsmaintain the holder 14 in a fixed position relative to the base 12 andeach may be elongated along the first direction indicated by arrow 18.Each of the first support wall 48 and the second support wall 50 extendsfrom a portion of the base 12, such as the first base portion 22, in thethird direction indicated by arrow 28.

In addition to the first and second support walls 48, 50, the snap fitfastener 10 includes a plurality of ribs 52 to help maintain the holder14 in a fixed position relative to the base 12. It is envisioned,however, that the snap fit fastener 10 may include only one rib 52. Theribs 52 may be located in different parts of the snap fit fastener 10.For instance, the ribs 52 may be disposed between the base 12 and theholder 14. The ribs 52 may be coupled between the first support wall 48and the base 12. The ribs 52 may be coupled between the second supportwall 50 and the base 12. The ribs 52 may be coupled between the firstwall portion 36 and the base 12. The ribs 52 may be coupled between thesecond wall portion 40 and the base 12. Although the ribs 52 shown inthe drawings have a substantially triangular shape, it is envisionedthat the snap fit fastener 10 may include ribs having other suitableshapes. Irrespective of their shape or number, the ribs 52 can enhancethe structural integrity of the snap fit fastener 10.

With reference to FIG. 3, the snap fit fastener 10 also includes one ormore snap fit arms 16 extending from a portion of the base 12, such asthe first base portion 22, in the third direction indicated by arrow 28.Each of the snap fit arms 16 is configured to engage a second body 106(FIG. 3), such as a second vehicle member 108, in order to couple thefirst body 100 to the second body 106 when the base 12 is attached tothe first body 100 (FIG. 3) as described in detail below. The secondbody 106 may be a second panel 109 of the vehicle 98 (FIG. 3). The firstbody 100 and the second body 106 may be wholly or partly made of asubstantially rigid material such as metal or plastic.

Returning to FIG. 1, the snap fit arms 16 may be configured as snap fithooks 58 and are cantilevered from a portion of the base 12 such as thefirst base portion 22. Specifically, the snap fit arms 16 areresiliently coupled to the base 12. Accordingly, each snap fit arm 16can deflect or flex upon application of a force; however, each snap fitarm 16 returns to its original position relative to the base 12 when itis no longer subjected to said force. The snap fit arms 16 may bearranged annularly along the first base portion 22. For example, onesnap fit arm 16 may be disposed along the first base edge 54 adjacentthe intersection between the first base portion 22 and the second baseportion 24. Another snap fit arm 16 may be disposed along the first baseedge 54 adjacent the intersection between the first base portion 22 andthe third base portion 26. Another snap fit arm 16 may be disposed alongthe second base edge 56 adjacent the intersection between the first baseportion 22 and the second base portion 24. Another snap fit arm 16 maybe disposed along the second base edge 56 adjacent the intersectionbetween the first base portion 22 and the third base portion 26.

With reference to FIG. 2, each snap fit arm 16 may include a cantileverbeam 60 elongated along a beam axis 62. The cantilever beam 60 may bedirectly or indirectly connected to the base 12 (FIG. 1) and isconfigured to deflect or flex when subjected to a force. Thus, the snapfit arms 16 may be directly or indirectly connected to the base 12.Furthermore, the cantilever beam 60 includes a first beam end portion 64(FIG. 1) coupled to the base 12 and a second beam end portion 66opposite to the first beam end portion 64. Each cantilever beam 60 mayhave a beam depth D1.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, each snap fit arm 16 includes anoverhang 68 extending from the second beam end portion 66 of thecantilever beam 60. The overhangs 68 of each snap fit arm 16 mayprotrude from the second beam end portion 66 in a direction away fromthe holder 14 (see FIG. 1). The overhang 68 includes a ramp 70 obliquelyangled relative to the beam axis 62 and an abutment surface 72, whichmay be angled substantially perpendicular relative to the beam axis 62.As described in detail below, the ramp 70 facilitates connecting thesnap fit fastener 10 to the second body 106 (FIG. 3), while the abutmentsurface 72 is configured to abut the second body 106 to prevent, or atleast inhibit, the snap fit fastener 10 from decoupling from the secondbody 106. The overhang 68 defines an overhang depth D2 that may belarger or smaller than the beam depth D1.

With reference to FIG. 3, the snap fit fastener 10 may be part of afastening assembly 74 that also includes the first body 100 and thesecond body 106. In turn, the fastening assembly 74 may be part of avehicle 98 such as a car or truck. As discussed above, the base 12 ofthe snap fit fastener 10 is attached to the first body 100 using anysuitable means such as welding, soldering, brazing, and adhesives. Thesecond body 106 includes an inner body surface 111 defining a body hole110, which may have a substantially circular shape. Because the secondbody 106 may be the second vehicle member 108 or a second panel 109, thebody hole 110 may also be referred to as a vehicle member hole or panelhole. The second body 106 may include a first or inner body surface 112(e.g., first vehicle member surface or first panel surface) and a secondor outer body surface 114 (e.g., second vehicle member surface or secondpanel surface) opposite the first body surface 112. The body hole 110extends through the first body surface 112 and the second body surface114 and is configured, shaped, and sized to receive at least a portionof the holder 14 and the snap fit arms 16 (FIG. 1).

With reference to FIGS. 3-6, the present disclosure also relates tomethods of fastening the first body 100 to the second body 106 using thesnap fit fastener 10. The presently disclosed fastening method may bepart of a method of manufacturing the vehicle 98. First, the base 12 ofthe snap fit fastener 12 is attached to the first body 100 usingwelding, adhesives or any other suitable coupling means or methods asseen in FIG. 3 before performing other steps. The fastening method mayalso include forming the body hole 110 in the second body 106 using anysuitable tool or means such as a drilling. Then, the snap fit fastener10 along with the attached first body 100 are advanced toward the bodyhole 110 until at least the holder 14 is partially extending through thebody hole 110 as seen in FIG. 4. To do so, the user may insert his orher finger (e.g. a human finger) or a tool (e.g., hook) through thefastener hole 38 (FIG. 1) defined by the holder 14 and then apply aforce in the direction indicated by arrow F. This force may be appliedby pulling the snap fit fastener 10 via the holder 14 with the finger ora tool such as a hook. The user continues to apply the force in thedirection indicated by arrow F to move the snap fit arms 16 through thebody hole 110. In doing so, the ramps 70 (FIG. 2) of the snap fit arms16 slide along the inner body surface 111, thereby facilitating entry ofthe snap fit arms 16 into the body hole 110. As the ramps 70 of the snapfit arms 16 slide along the inner body surface 111, the cantilever beams60 deflect inwardly (i.e., toward the holder 14) to allow at least aportion of the snap fit arms 16 to move through the body hole 110. Thecontinued application of the force to the snap fit fastener 10 via theholder 14 in the direction indicated by arrow F eventually causes theoverhangs 68 of each snap fit arm 16 to engage the second body 106,thereby coupling the first body 100 to the second body 106 via the snapfit fastener 10 as shown in FIG. 5. At this juncture, the abutmentssurfaces 72 (FIG. 2) of each overhang 68 contacts the second bodysurface 114 of the second body 106 and therefore prevents, or at leasthinders, the snap fit fastener 10 from being decoupled from the secondbody 106 as shown in FIG. 6.

The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive anddescriptive of the invention, but the scope of the invention is definedsolely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodimentsfor carrying out the claimed invention have been described in detail,various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing theinvention defined in the appended claims.

1. A snap fit fastener for fastening a panel, comprising: a base; aholder extending from the base, the holder including a holder walldefining a fastener hole; a plurality of snap fit arms cantilevered fromthe base, each snap fit arm including a beam and an overhang protrudingfrom the beam away from the holder; and wherein each overhang isconfigured to engage the panel to couple the snap fit fastener to thepanel.
 2. The snap fit fastener of claim 1, wherein the snap fit armsare disposed around the holder.
 3. The snap fit fastener of claim 2,further comprising ribs disposed between the base and the holder.
 4. Thesnap fit fastener of claim 1, wherein the base has a planar shape. 5.The snap fit fastener of claim 1, wherein the snap fit arms areresiliently coupled to the base.
 6. The snap fit fastener of claim 1,wherein the snap fit arms are directly connected to the base.
 7. Thesnap fit fastener of claim 1, wherein the holder includes an arch-shapedwall portion.
 8. A vehicle, comprising: a first panel; a second panelincluding a first panel surface and a second panel surface opposite thefirst panel surface, the second panel defining a panel hole extendingthrough the first panel surface and the second panel surface; a snap fitfastener including a base attached to the first panel, a holderextending from the base and defining a fastener hole, and a plurality ofsnap fit arms cantilevered from the base, the holder being configured tobe received through the panel hole, each snap fit arm partiallyextending through the panel hole and including an overhang having anabutment surface; and wherein the abutment surfaces of each overhangcontact the second panel surface to couple the first panel to the secondpanel.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the holder has a substantiallyU-shape.
 10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the base defines an edge,and the snap fit arms are disposed along the edge of the base.
 11. Thevehicle of claim 8, wherein the snap fit arms are directly connected tothe base.
 12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein each snap fit arm includesa beam and the overhang protrudes from the beam in a direction away fromthe holder.
 13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the base has a planarconfiguration.
 14. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the holder includes aholder wall having an arch-shaped wall portion.
 15. The vehicle of claim8, wherein the snap fit arms are resiliently coupled to the base. 16.The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the snap fit arms are disposed aroundthe holder.
 17. The vehicle of claim 8, further comprising ribs disposedbetween the base and the holder.
 18. A method of manufacturing avehicle, comprising: inserting a holder and snap fit arms of a snap fitfastener attached to a first vehicle member through a vehicle memberhole of a second vehicle member, the snap fit fastener including a base,the holder extending from the base, and the snap fit arms supported bythe base, the holder defining a fastener hole; and advancing the snapfit arms through the vehicle member hole by applying a force to the snapfit fastener via the holder until the snap fit arms engage the secondvehicle member to couple the first vehicle member to the second vehiclemember.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising attaching thebase of the snap fit fastener to the first vehicle member beforeinserting the holder and the snap fit arms through the vehicle memberhole.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the advancing step includespulling the snap fit arms through the vehicle member hole via the holderusing a finger.